Repeal Of Colorado Ammo Magazine Limits Up For Vote

DENVER (AP/CBS4) – A bill to repeal last year’s restrictions on the size of ammunition magazines in Colorado is up for a vote.

A large number of people are at the state Capitol to testify on the Republican proposal being heard in a House committee Monday afternoon.

Democrats last year passed a law that prohibits the sale of ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. It became effective July 1.

“What public safety is there when there are tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of those magazines in Colorado already,” said Republican Rep. Chris Holbert.

Republicans are highly unlikely to succeed in repealing the law. The House committee hearing bill is controlled by Democrats with a comfortable 7-4 margin.

Colorado resident Tom Sullivan’s son Alex was among those killed in the Aurora movie theater shooting.

He along with relatives of those killed in the Columbine High school shooting begged the committee to keep the law saying larger capacity magazines allow shooters to kill more people in less time.

“Alex never had a chance to run out and duck for cover or even warn any of the 12 coworkers who came with him to celebrate his birthday,” said Sullivan.

Another repeal attempt is being heard in the Senate Wednesday, where Democrats also have the votes to stop it.

“Sadly there will be more mass shootings in America. The question is will people have to wait for a 30 or a 50 or 100 round magazine to be unloaded before they have a chance to escape, or will it be 15,” said father of another shooting victim, Tom Mauser.

The magazine limits are among a package of gun laws Democrats passed in the aftermath of mass shootings in Colorado and Connecticut.